Letter Writing Opportunity - Newsweek
This is a thank you letter to Newsweek for the very positive article they published (appended below the letter). Please feel free to personalize where applicable.

Letters to the Editor
Newsweek
251 W. 57th St.
New York, NY 10019-1894

Please make sure to include your email or phone number in the last line of this letter.

To the Editor:

Three cheers, Newsweek, for publishing such a wonderful and informative article on the value of breastfeeding to both mother and child ("Mother's milk is a miracle tonic. Make sure your baby gets her share" by Karen Springen). It is odd that a society seemingly consumed with financial prosperity and safety is largely unwilling to make the investment in breastfeeding, despite its proven benefits to babies' health and cognitive development. As your article points out, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association have strongly recommended that women breastfeed their children for at least 12 months. This recommendation comes as a result of many studies that have demonstrated that breastfed children have lower risks of allergies, eczema, bacterial meningitis, and many other illnesses, as well as higher IQs. The list of benefits to both mother and child is extensive. If there were a pill that had the same effects, would there not be a rush to buy it?

Three points in this wonderful article need clarification. First, adoptive mothers can breastfeed and supply at least part of their babies' nutritional needs. La Leche League, the international breastfeeding authority, can provide adoptive mothers information on inducing lactation (1-800-LA LECHE). Then too, Ms. Springen states, "kids as old as 2 can benefit from the antibodies and fatty acids in mother's milk." While research has not been conducted on children older than 2, there is no evidence to suggest that children don't continue to benefit from breastmilk for however long they nurse. Finally, the Pump In Style actually works as well as a "heavy duty" pump, however, a hospital grade pump will last longer. A mother can save a $200 to $400 by buying a Pump In Style rather than renting a hospital grade pump.

There are many organizations available to new parents all over the country that provide information on the benefits of breastfeeding -- and yes, that can even help an adoptive mother breastfeed partially, and in some cases, fully. These organizations, including La Leche League, offer the nursing mother a tremendous amount of support. This is critical, particularly when establishing the breastfeeding relationship in the first few weeks and when a mother returns to work, since difficulties are often encountered at these times.

Even though these support organizations exist, it is still critical that the benefits of breastfeeding are communicated to our society via the media. Breastmilk is one of the best starts in life anyone can ever hope to provide their child, and, for many of us, is worth any real or perceived inconvenience to provide it. Thank you, Newsweek, for helping to spread this message so eloquently.

Sincerely,